Gay-unfriendly bar in Pattaya

[Mysteryman]

Hello!

 

Copy of my post in my Facebook:

 

"This bar in Pattaya is very gay-unfriendly. When the owner knows you are gay, you have no right to enter the place. This happened to me, even though I have visited the bar for 3 years. Last year he found out I have a male partner. Therefore I was not welcomed any longer. He told me to go to Sunee area, where my kind of bars are. The bar is situated at Tuk-Com. We don't need this kind of bars, especially not in Thailand."

 

 

 

 

[NIrishGuy]

 "LAST YEAR he found out I have a male partner."

 

​And you're only posting about this now ?? How very strange - what's wrong did you have another run in with him over something else maybe in the meantime or did you just perhaps recall this incident and so decided to post about it now by chance. 

[Mysteryman]

I just came back from Pattaya. I walked by in May, and saw this man in his bar, and thought I would say hello to him again, as I have done for some years. And I looked forward to a beer also.

 

He sat there looking at his phone, and did not even look up to me as I approached him and said "Hello, is this chair free?"

 

The conversation:

 

He: Didn't I already tell  you?

Me: Sorry, tell me what?? When??

He: You have a boyfriend from here!

Me: Yes, and he lives with me in Finland.

He: Then you don't need to come here.

 

and so it went on me trying to understand why, arguing about why...getting a good answer, but no

 

 

The original reason for going to his bar the first time is that this bar is a bar for truckers. I've been a trucker for 20 years, not anymore though. Before we got along well, I always came to his bar in daytime alone. My boyfriend then usually being in WeCare getting a facial treatment. And he always came there also after he was ready, and he had a good chat with the lady that worked there. The boss just happened to be away when my bf arrived, so he never got to see us together... until last year in May. Then we sat there both having some drinks, and the boss came. We left soon and said goodbye, it was the last day of our holiday, and I did not notice anything. Perhaps the boss was not there as we left, I don't remember.

 

I would not be so pissed off if we had come to this bar together the first time, and he had told me to back off, this is not a bar for gays. But in this case me and him have chatted a lot during 3 years on our 1 month holidays, and everything was fine. He never asked me about my preferences. I also enjoyed chatting with some truckers from Finland, we didn't know eachother from before.

[NIrishGuy]

ah I understand now - what a crappy experience for you - and there I thought the Finnish were a very liberal torrent group of people, I guess you'll always get the exception no matter where you go :-(   Oh well, thanks for posting that then as it's always good to know where NOT to spend your money when in Pattaya ! 

[vinapu]

thanks for posting that then as it's always good to know where NOT to spend your money when in Pattaya ! 

This is exactly what I think ,

 

On another hand bar is not public space but private business so it's up to owner and clients to decide who is welcomed and who is not.

 

After all we often have complains that our bars are invaded by noisy girls and on more than one occasion I saw guys backing up from door when they spot busty contingent occupying prime space. So we can't be too sanctimonious when comes to not being welcomed here and there.

 

Bottom line - find gay friendly businesses and spent your money there.

 

Second bottom line, welcome ladies in our bars, I was against until black lady sitting beside me in X-boys complemented me " You have a handsome  boyfriend", we both , boy and me left happy . 

[williewillie]

There's a bar beer in Boyztown area, corner of Pattayaland Soi 2 that had a sign that said no queers allowed.

It's been years and I don't remember the exact wording but the message was clear. Some religious heteros hate us.

A Finnish trucker bar, who would have thought .

[NIrishGuy]

That'll be the Shamerock bar / cafe you'll be thinking of I believe, ha I'm always torn as on one hand with an owner like that of course one wouldn't want to give him a single baht BUT they do loads of "ordinary" every day Irish grub and "sometimes" when I'm all Thai fooded out I have to admit I do nip in for a quick bowl of stew or something just to ride me over. But I promise I keep my fingers crossed under the table the while time I'm there AND make a point of sashchying up to the counter just as gayly as I can to pay my bill as my token protest lol

 

Actually seriously the one and only time I ever had an issue in that place was some drink dickhead who when he asked and I told him I was gay started to be a homophobic prick which of course got the standard go fuck yourself you tosser response from me - only for me to discover he actually lived about 3 miles from my home in N Ireland !! To say I was both wasn't surprised at all and was also disgusted at the small minded price all in the same breath just about covers it !! :-(

[Guest]

Ideally, the majority of bars would encourage all visitors. However it's still nice to visit a bar that might be free from screaming women or even noisy dranken males. Or stay in a hotel where the guests can be assured of sleep after midnight.

A little bit of segregation can help everyone get along better. The noisy younger Europeans & (e.g. Indians) can occupy a hotel where partying all night is expected. However I would like to occupy a hotel where no one does that. I mean no one, as all it needs is one noisy occupied room to screw it up for the entire corridor.

 

So I don't think every business should necessarily welcome my sort either.

[vinapu]

 

A little bit of segregation can help everyone get along better. The noisy younger Europeans & (e.g. Indians) can occupy a hotel where partying all night is expected. However I would like to occupy a hotel where no one does that. I mean no one, as all it needs is one noisy occupied room to screw it up for the entire corridor.

 

Usually this segregation is  done by economical means. Noisy youngsters rarely have enough money for better hotels  and even if they have their friends don't   so they stay in different places then us good sleep loving folks.

 

In better hotels you can always enlist help of staff to quiet them down, not always works though.

 

I have soft spot for those noisy  youngsters as in days past I was one of them and whenever they throw party i feel kind of nostalgic and suffer in silence.

 

Last November noises coming from room 314 in BBB Inn not only screw whole floor but provided us with hard porn movie quality soundtrack but this somehow corresponded with our bit  quieter activities at the same time so no complain from me neither my boy.

[ChristianPFC]

Haven't heard of this bar. Homophobic trucker however is no surprise, a friend worked in the transport business and told me he stayed in the closet towards his colleagues, they would not have accepted him if they knew he was gay.

 

We should wait for confirmation by other members of this forum. Even then, I think it's inappropriate to post a picture of the owner.

 

So I don't think every business should necessarily welcome my sort (edit: gay people) either.

 

There is a difference between catering to a certain group (backpacker guesthouse vs. luxury hotel) and discrimination against certain races, religions, sexual orientations.

[Mysteryman]

I see your concern about posting picture, and understand. We also post pics of boys here. His pics are openly on the net also, and you can see him even in youtube.

[williewillie]

The likelihood of any of us going to a Finnish trucker bar is zero.

Shamrock was the bar with the hateful sign, right in the middle of Boyztown area.

Shamerock more appropriate .

[kokopelli]

Haven't heard of this bar. Homophobic trucker however is no surprise, a friend worked in the transport business and told me he stayed in the closet towards his colleagues, they would not have accepted him if they knew he was gay.

 

 

A gay friend in the USA made his practice serving truckers at rest areas. They may not admit to gayness but sure like their cocks sucked.

[vinapu]

I see your concern about posting picture, and understand. We also post pics of boys here. His pics are openly on the net also, and you can see him even in youtube.

I would not worry at all about posting his picture  being appropriate or not , this is gay forum and we should help ourselves by pointing out who hates us.

 

He is not worrying if what he is doing is politically correct ,  why should we?

[Mysteryman]

Well...thank you for your support in this case. This bar is not only for truckers, I guess the real truckers are a minority of them who visit. But he uses the Rahtarit association logo in his sign. Apparently some old friend of him came up with the idea to have one Rahtarit-place in Pattaya. The boss himself is no trucker. If you are interested, look up Rahtarit in google.

[Travellerdave]

I've never come across any anti-gay attitudes whilst in Pattaya, although I have hardly visited typical girlie beer bars or gogos. The only times were to be sociable with str friends. I have had stares from passengers on baht busses when I was accompanied by a young Thai boyfriend, very often in transit from Boystown or Sunee to Jomtien.

I would certainly avoid any business displaying anti-gay notices.

I have a problem with noisy hotels as at home I live in a quiet location. I have noticed that boys I have slept with do not to mind noise. I suppose this is because Thailand is a noisy country - music especially is played at maximum volume. I try and get a room shielded as much as possible.

[vinapu]

. I have had stares from passengers on baht busses when I was accompanied by a young Thai boyfriend, very often in transit from Boystown or Sunee to Jomtien.

 

I have a problem with noisy hotels as at home I live in a quiet location. I have noticed that boys I have slept with do not to mind noise. I suppose this is because Thailand is a noisy country - music especially is played at maximum volume. I try and get a room shielded as much as possible.

Stares can't be avoided, when I see farang  of age with walker in company of beautiful young girl can't help myself and stare also,  usually smile at girl.

In the hotels at breakfast I always stare at boys sitting with their farangs on assumption the farang will be thrilled that I admire his choice, certainly I like when my boys are stared and even better, smiled   at.

 

I live in busy street and sleep in summer with open windows, it why my tolerance for noise is high.

 

My impression is that all Asian countries east of Iran are very noisy, try to travel overnight on Indian bus or Chinese ordinary train. I guess noise is part and parcel of Asian experience

[Guest scottishguy]

I have been in the Shamrock Bar a few times - but not a regular haunt by any means.

 

I've always found them very friendly, and although I must admit I have never gone in with a "boy", I have gone in with a particularly repulsive farang friend who has often (to my abject horror and screaming denials of "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO") been assumed to be my BF (a bigger contrast from my actual BF you just could not imagine).

 

Point is, we have never had anything other than polite service and friendliness in the Shamrock Bar. In fact, the last time I was in, someone had just come back from a fishing trip and they gave us, free, gratis, and for nothing - some fish and chips!!

 

 

Regarding "the sign" - to my recollection it didn't say "No Queers" (had it said that I would not have gone in) - what it said was "Do not bring your 'Boyfriend' in here" and, obviously I've been naive, because I though it was aimed at the female hookers from across the soi Of course, it may have changed from then - someone should post a pic, so we know for sure.

 

So, I was disturbed to hear of NIrish's experience there, and I certainly won't go back as I know he would not invent such an incident.

[vinapu]

Our discussion here on this thread attracted attention and found it's way to popular bangkokbois blog as Sunday Funnies #80.

Link below.

 

I recognize even part of my own post.

 

I sense that in his opinion some of us are not principled enough, I'm not being sarcastic just stating fact. It may be valid point but again discussion of how much tolerance for  enemies of tolerance  will have no end.

 

IMHO in reality of Pattaya where one can be gay in the open those battles are not worth fighting, just ignore homophobic businesses and let everybody and his brother know why and who they are.

It should work - I passed several times by the Shamrock last November and did not notice any notes we are talking about so it possibly worked out already.

 

In a sense,  owner of then place adjacent to Boystown would be very brave to keep such notes posted, imagine note in soi 6 ' " no unaccompanied ladies allowed "

 

 

http://bangkokbois-gay-thailand-blog.com/2014/06/29/sunday-funnies-80/

[williewillie]

I happened to walk past Shamrock tonight and looked for signs. I saw none tonight. The sign I referred to was posted many

years ago and made it clear that gays were not welcome. There was probably a post made at the time so perhaps a

forum historian could dig it up.

There are many straight bar beers in the Boyztown area as well as many girlie bars.

I imagine the sign was to advise gay men that the bar wasn't a gay bar or a boy bar.

It would suck if groups of straight men starting sitting in the boy beer bars but no signs seem necessary as it's

clear. Perhaps some clueless gay men tried sitting in Shamrock or just a straight owner felt the need to be clear.

 

The bangkokboisblog is a riot and very funny and on target.

[colmx]

From my recollectio the sign used to say

"White guys with young boys are not welcome in this bar"

 

Where i believe that the emphasis was on young...

 

By the way i am very surprised at Bangkokbois making light of a genocide that wiped out 25% of the population of Ireland in the space of 5 years... Just because it happened 160 years ago does not mean its ok to make a joke of it...

[vinapu]

From my recollectio the sign used to say

"White guys with young boys are not welcome in this bar"

 

Where i believe that the emphasis was on young...

 

By the way i am very surprised at Bangkokbois making light of a genocide that wiped out 25% of the population of Ireland in the space of 5 years... Just because it happened 160 years ago does not mean its ok to make a joke of it...

I agree with your comments about Potato Famine. It seems that we humans have short memory and often forget about our ancestors  suffering and also their sinister  deeds.

Many mass murderers from deep past  now we call Great and built  them statues. But this is another story.

 

As for our thread if that was sign Shamrock  had placed it changes whole perspective and I will not be faulting them for this kind of discrimination. 

 

No place in that area would like be know as gathering place  of young boy's, . likely they meant ' too young '.  "admirers"  and their prey. And probably none of us would like to be seen in such place either.

 

As this sector of "entertainment" was decimated or went deep underground  no need for sign anymore and there's none as williewillie noticed. 

[NIrishGuy]

Yeah and for clarity I've eaten in the shamrock cafe / bar loads of times with no issues at all whatsoever as it's usually just the Thai lady staff on there anyway at night - albeit I'm usually alone and to be fair I generally pass as "straight" anyway.

 

The funny thing was that one incident there was absolutely nothing to do with the bar or the management but just one asshole who just happened to be sitting next to me shooting his mouth off and what was even more funny / annoying was that it was after my travelling the 6000 kms or whatever from home that that ONE asshole who's mouthing off came from just up the road from me at home so I could just as easily stayed home and heard the same crap there and saved the air fare lol.

 

Thankfully low brain people like that don't phase me one bit and I'm more than happy to stand my ground with them and find when you do they inevitably either spit their dummy out of the pram a bit and stomp off in a huff once they realise you're not going to be bullied or their mate ( who was probably joining in) ends up coming back had an hour later out of their mates earshot and apologising profusely for "their mate" ( funnily forgetting that they were joining in) and then launch into either the "I've got a lot of gay friends actually" conversation - or more interestingly " actually I've often wondered about the whole gay thing myself and whether "I" maybe wasn't a little gay when I was younger perhaps" - cue the pulling up or his bar stool and maybe moving on to another bar together later he he ;-)

 

Re "the sign" I did always take it as more of "hey guys / gays this is just an ordinary wee Irish cafe, not a gay bar, not a sit and fondle your latest one hour hook up from boystown so PLEASE take your "boyfriends" elsewhere. Which I can sort of understand and even accept - but if it said "no gays" well "fuck em" ( except I am declaring an interest here and may well sell my gay soul for a quick bowl of stew or toasted sandwhich when the hunger is upon me in boystown or wherever as hunger wins over making a political statement everytime with me usually - what can I say I'm food Shallow ! Lol

 

I think I'll nip back in there later this evening actually and see is said sign still up on display ! I'll post the answer later .

[vinapu]

Very funny post NIrish, 

 

I guess more alcohol than homophobia was at source  of that incident as under influence people are getting more outspoken.

 

Your reading of said sign is likely correct as too often we  / all visitors, not just gays / forget that private moments are supposed to be left for private settings.

 

No,  you are not selling your your gay soul for a familiar food in Pattaya as I don't see any issue here, gay acceptance battle in Pattaya and in fact Thailand is largely won battle as far as visitor sector is concerned.

 

We need to remember that some people criticising homophobic businesses in the second breath don't see anything wrong in their ranting that there are too many Russians or  Arabs in the Sunee for example.

 

No I'm not pointing it at anybody and I'm not of either nationality but at times I wonder if people ready to boycott " no queers welcomed" business out of conviction would be equally calling for boycott of place with  ' No Russians  /  Arabs etc.  / welcomed' with the same fire.

[Guest scottishguy]

Well I don't know about you guys, but I, for one. await NIrish's definitive verdict on "Sign-Gate" with bated breath.

 

Let's hope he does not get waylaid en route!!